PARLIAMENT Power Surplus In 1965 Forecast

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29909, 24 August 1962, Page 12

PARLIAMENT Power Surplus In 1965 Forecast

(New Zealana Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 23.

The Minister of Electricity (Mr Goosman) said in the House of Representatives today that there would be a surplus of electricity after 1965 and it would take until that time for an industry requiring power to get established.

The House debated the annual report of the Electricity Department. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment.

Mr H. Watt (Opposition. Onehunga) said it was imperative, if New Zealand was going to attract industry, to have a surplus of electric power. There had been record peak demands in the North Island last month. Stopping work on the uncompleted Maraetai No. 2 station, which would have generated power for peak loading, was a “tragic mistake.”

Mr Goosman saifl he had been assured by the general manager of the electricity department that there should be no shortage of power in the North Island. After the Cook Strait cable linked the South Island supply with the North in April, 1965, there would be no need for the second Maraetai station for “many years thereafter.” As soon as Benmore came into operation there would be a surplus over the whole of New Zealand. Rates Paid

Full rates were paid on all occupied State houses, said the Minister of Finance 'Mr Lake'. He had been asked by Mr R. D. Muldoon (Government, Tamaki), to comment on criticism of loss of rates on certain Government establishments. Loan Proposal The Government was preparing a loan application to the World Bank and a full announcement would be made when negotiations were completed, said Mr Lake, answering Mr P.

Blanchfleld (Opposition. Westland). Mr Lake said the bank’s mission in February did not have discussions with the Cabinet and had reported its findings to the bank, which had been in correspondence with the Government on "certain aspects arising fro □ the mission.” Cheese For Japan New Zealand was negotiating with Japan for the supply of cheese for its school lunch programme, said the Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall). The Government was closely co-oper-ating in the development of exports to Japan. New Zealand was the largest supplier of meat to Japan and was also expanding its exports to that country of butter, casein, milk powder and cheese.